A "complete and permanent encyclopaedia" of the world's spirits was what founder Paul Ricard had in mind when, in 1958, he first asked producers to donate unopened bottles of their brands to Exposition Universelle des Vins et Spiritueux. Distillers from 52 nations on six continents responded.

Today, the collection of over 2700 spirits is remarkable in scope and content, representing 35 spirits categories that range from absinthe and arrack to quinquina and maotai. There are numerous rare items housed in the collection. Some of the highlights include: